🌱 Traffic Fatality At K Road + Rattler Avoidance + No Cannabis Growth

Hello, friends! Today’s International Museum Day; did you know that Israel has the highest number of museums per capita? I'm back with your fresh edition of the Grand Junction Patch newsletter. Come along to get news on:

• 📕 The Cork O’Connor mystery series author.
• 🛴 E-scooters are here.
• 🐶 Train Fido to back away from a rattlesnake.

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

🌤️ But first, today's weather: A t-storm around in the p.m. High: 80 Low: 50.

Interested in reaching our local readers with targeted messaging that drives traffic to your business? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations Around Grand Junction

• Maverik at 2902 D Road, $2.99
• Sam’s Club at 1040 Independent Ave., $2.99
• Sinclair at 2903 North Ave., $3.02

🍷 Hobby Poll!
Everybody has hobbies. If time and money were no object this summer, which new hobby would you like to learn or take up? We have some preliminary results.

• 20 percent - traveling
• 9.9 percent - flying
• 6.7 percent - ballroom dancing
• 3.3 percent - fly-fishing, crocheting, Mahjong, basket making, dog training & showing, surfing, watercolor, pickleball, line dancing, pottery, reading, horseback riding, wine collecting, car collecting, playing guitar, kickboxing, golf, roller skating

One of you asked a great question: “Does anyone have photography as a hobby now?” With our new phones, there’s no longer the need for a dark room and all the accouterments that used to come with the hobby.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Grand Junction:

1. Paramedics responded to a traffic fatality near K Road. A vehicle “drove off a cliff at an excessive rate of speed.” There were six people in the car in total, but only the driver was declared dead on scene. The passengers were all minors from Fruita. Reportedly, the vehicle was stolen. (NBC)
2. The Canyon Country Animal Hospital invites neighbors to sign up for its annual rattlesnake avoidance training. The goal is to have the dogs avoid getting close to a rattler. And, yes, there will be live rattlers as part of the exercise. (KJCT)
3. What’s going on with cannabis cultivation? Nothing; quite literally. The City Council had the option of making cultivation in the city illegal or allowing it indoors only. Councilmembers chose to do nothing. So, until the issue is raised again, cultivation is prohibited. (GJ Sentinel/paywall)
4. William Kent Krueger spoke to fans of his Cork O’Connor mystery series at the Grand Junction Community Center last week. He recalled how he came to love reading and spent a lot of time explaining why library are critical “to our understanding of the world.” (Green County News Online)
5. Bird and Lime is coming to Grand Junction! The company known for its e-scooter micromobility apps and scooter rentals is opening up shop — for 18 months. If you want to give it a whirl, start by downloading the app. (KJCT)

📆 Today in Grand Junction:

• Join the Homeless Coalition at the Mesa County Public Library (10 AM)
• COPMBOA & GVC host a Brand Launch Party at the Handlebar Taphouse (6 PM)
• Sound Healing at New Earthologie (6:30 PM)
• Michael Ray & His Band come to the W stage (7 PM)
• Jim Gaffigan performs at the Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park (7:30 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "District 51 is saluting our school resource officer, Bob Bomar who serves the Fruita Police Department as he heads into retirement in style. Thank you, Officer Bob, for your 45 years of service and for protecting our students." (Mesa County Valley School District 51)
• "Why does GJPD Sgt. Ancell like being a police officer? What does he like to do for fun? Rilyn asks those questions in this installment of 'Kindergartner and a Cop.'" (Grand Junction PD)
• "Mesa County Criminal Justice Services invites you to a BBQ Fundraiser to benefit Mesa County Partners! Date: Wednesday, May 24; Time: 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Location: Escalante Facility, 559 Pitkin Ave." (Mesa County Colorado)
• "Join us in-person or online for our 2023 Spring Commencement! Saturday, May 20, 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Stocker Stadium (or watch online) For more info, including arrival times, academic departments & livestream links, please visit: http://coloradomesa.edu/commencement." (Colorado Mesa University)
• "De Beque's Community Center will open in 2024, and Mesa County seeks residents in the De Beque zip code to serve on the Citizen Advisory Committee. This opportunity allows you to develop event-planning skills and be a community voice. Apply at http://bit.ly/3VFI3IJ."(Mesa County, Colorado)

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you around.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Christ follower. Wife. Book dragon. Proud supporter of the Oxford comma.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Grand Junction Patch newsletter? Contact me at grandjunction-co@patch.com